Our Staff
From Left to Right
Ms. Vicky Besack, Dr. LeighAnne Hurley, Ms. Beth Bruegger, Ms. Anita Richmond, Ms. Carin Nettles, Mr. James Bromwell, Ms. Jean Imperatore, Ms. Peggy Hinmon, Ms. Karen Lawlor
Karen M. Lawlor
Ms. Lawlor attended the University of South Florida and received her B.S. and the University of Central Florida to receive her M.A. hours; she is currently enrolled at the University of South Florida to complete her M.A. in English Literature. She has been in the education field for the past 14 years. Currently, Ms. Lawlor teaches English 1 and Advanced Placement Literature. Her teaching philosophy is that she believes that all students can and will achieve personal success through relevant course work with the tutelage and guidance of a team of caring teachers. She has taken a CPR course and is excited to take on the challenges of the new Academy for the Medical Arts. Her personal interests are reading, running, forensics and politics.
Jean Imperatore
Ms. Imperatore attended Ohio University and earned a B.S. in Education and a secondary degree in Math Education; She also attended the University of South Florida for her Masters in Education in Curriculum and Instruction with Math concentration. She has been in the education field for 32 years. Currently, Ms. Imperatore teaches Algebra 1, Geometry, Pre-Calculus and Calculus classes. Her personal philosophy is to help students to not be “mediocre” and to always strive and do their best. She teaches students to have fun in school and laugh at their mistakes, and learn and grow from them. Ms. Imperatore has volunteered at Hospice House. She has assisted the nursing staff with patient care, helped with patient feedings, as well as supported the families during these trying times. This has created many poignant experiences for her, which she feels will benefit her in the role of an Academy instructor. Her personal passions are puzzles. Puzzles make her think. She loves Sudoku, bridge; crossword puzzles, cryptograms, and Jumble.
Leigh Anne Hurley. PhD
Dr. Hurley received a B.S in Science from the University Of Texas A & M in the area of biochemistry; she then received a Masters in Science form the University of Texas A & M with animal science & nutrition the emphasis. Following, she received her Doctor of Philosophy from Colorado State University in the area of animal science & nutrition. She has been in education for the past 6 years and has had 13 years of research experience. Dr. Hurley teaches anatomy and physiology. She has had experience in the medical field doing research at Howard Hughes Medical Institute & Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. Her philosophy is that every instructor should not only have mastery of the course’s subject area, but should also explore every avenue available for improved dissemination of his/her knowledge in that subject. She feels it is vitally important for the delivery of the course materials to meet the needs of the student versus the student conforming to the instructor’s method of instruction. She believes every group of students has their own unique needs and expectations. Dr. Hurley believes in using appropriate technology to support these goals, she also hopes that students have not only mastered the material, but have also developed an interest and appreciation of the materials presented as well.
James Bromwell
Mr. Bromwell received a secondary education degree from the University if Wisconsin, Oshkosh; he then received his Masters in Guidance from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. He has been in education for the past 27 years. He will be the primary guidance counselor for those students in the Academy for the Medical Arts. He has had experience in the medical field in that he was in the United States Army as a Medic for 3 years. He primary goal is to assist the Academy’s students in meeting their educational, vocational, personal and social goals while at Mitchell High School. His hobbies are gardening, cooking and fishing.
Peggy Hinmon
Ms. Hinmon attended Rowan University and obtained a B.S. in Health and Physical Education as well as Driver’s Education. She has 12 years of educational experience. Ms. Hinmon currently teaches Life Management and plans on teaching HOPE, First Aide & CPR, Care & Prevention of Athletic Injuries in the Academy for the Medical Arts. Ms. Hinmon is a certified CPR & First Aide Instructor and has been involved in Interact, a community service club. These experiences will help her be an asset to the Academy student, as community service is a vital component of the program. She believes that all students should be given the opportunity to grow and develop into productive, young, adults. Her desire is to present opportunities and experiences to the students to help them work together to reach their fullest potential. Her personal interests include sports, the beach and spending quality time with her family. She also loves spoiling her grandson!
Terri Vandenberg
Ms. Vandenberg received a B. A. in Language Arts from Western Illinois University, and then later received her M.S. in Education for Eastern Illinois, with the emphasis on Guidance and counseling. She has also taken additional coursework through the University of Sarasota. She has 10 years of educational experience. She will be a Guidance counselor for the Academy, as well as providing support services. She has had experience as a computer support specialist for a medical services company. Her personal philosophy is that students should pursue an in-depth study in an area of their choice to explore individual interests. She believes students should learn more about future professions and lifetime skills through internships and community service opportunities. Ms. Vandenberg’s personal interests include travel, movies, Jazz and Blue’s music.
Beth Bruegger RN
Ms. Bruegger received a B.S. in Nursing from the University Of Wisconsin, Madison, and then later received her Vocational teaching certificate from the State of Florida. She has been an RN for the past 23 years, and has worked in education for the past 5 years. She has taught Medical Skills, Health Science 1, Health Science 2 and the Allied Health Assisting program. She has had experiences in many aspects of nursing, including acute and long-term care. When moving to Florida, she spent most of her nursing career in Home Health. Her personal philosophy is to teach compassion – love what you do, and do what you love. She hopes that students will come out of her classes having a better understanding of their patients, and really knowing what a health care job entails. Her personal interests include reading, scrap booking, and spending time with her family. She loves camping and the outdoors as well.
Michele Chamberlin
Ms. Chamberlin received an Associate of Arts degree in 1998 at St. Petersburg Jr. College and then went on to receive her Bachelors of Social Studies Education from Florida State University in 1992. She has spent the last 12 years in Education. She has had medical experience in the past working part-time in a medical office during high school and college. She is excited about working in the Medical Academy because she feels this program embraces the belief that our students need to have relevant, practical, career-related experiences while in high school in order to prepare them for higher educational institutions or for the world of work. Ms. Chamberlin is married, has 2 daughters and is an avid reader. Her personal interests are her family, enjoying the outdoors, traveling and the theater.
Vicki Besack
Ms. Besack received an A.A. degree in pre-medicine from St. Petersburg College, then went on to receive a B.S, in Biology and Education from the University of South Florida. Ms. Besack has been in education for the past 16 years. Currently Ms. Besack teaches Biology 1 and Biology 1 Honors. She has related medical knowledge in the field of Veterinarian Medicine, and had 2 years of volunteer experience in an Veterinarian office. She believes that every student should have a chance to succeed and she is just a facilitator of information and knowledge. The students can reach far beyond their goals when given the right avenues through their teachers. Ms. Besack’s personal interests are in reading, shopping, motorcycles, the Corvette Club and of course, her family!
Jill Cortier
Mrs. Cortier graduated from Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis, MO, with a BA in Biology. After college, Mrs. Cortier worked for an industrialized genetic research company that provided researchers with genes or gene segments that led to drug discoveries. After moving to Florida, Mrs. Cortier volunteered at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium where she was a member of the Marine Mammal Stranding Team. This included taking care of the animals in the hopes that they would be fully rehabilitated and then released back to the wild. Mrs. Cortier began teaching freshman and sophomore science in 2001. She is currently enrolled at the University of Scranton where she is working on her Masters in Education Administration. Mrs. Cortier believes that all students can reach their highest learning potential and does her best to help her students succeed in class. Mrs. Cortier enjoys spending time with her family, as well as scrapbooking, camping, and snow skiing.
